By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    Reasons For Hair Loss and Its Treatment
    Reasons For Hair Loss and Its Treatment
    February 16, 2022
    healthcare organization
    5 Actionable Strategies For Healthcare Organizations
    August 15, 2022
    7 Truths and Myths about Being a Full-time Emergency Doctor in a Big Hospital
    7 Truths and Myths about Being a Full-time Emergency Doctor in a Big Hospital
    October 6, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Seven Senior Health Tips For The Holidays
    December 21, 2011
    Medicaid to Fund ‘Stay-Healthy’ Incentive Programs
    September 12, 2017
    Health Affairs Briefing Addresses Costly Consequences of Diabetes Treatment in America
    January 12, 2012
    Latest News
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: How to engage your patients on social media – without violating HIPAA!
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > eHealth > Social Media > How to engage your patients on social media – without violating HIPAA!
Policy & LawSocial Media

How to engage your patients on social media – without violating HIPAA!

practicebuilders1
practicebuilders1
Share
4 Min Read
How to engage your patients on social media – without violating HIPAA!
SHARE

No business can afford to go without a social media presence in today’s competitive market, and your healthcare practice is no exception. But unlike the local movie theater or candy store, your healthcare practice has a big hurdle to jump when using this powerful marketing tool: HIPAA compliance.

What is HIPAA, and what does it have to do with social media?

Title II of HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, focuses especially on the privacy of patients’ protected health information. Most importantly, it establishes civil and criminal penalties for disclosing that information. “Civil and criminal penalties” is not a phrase you usually associate with social media, the home of funny cat videos and political arguments with your uncle. But any words or pictures you post that might identify a patient could set you up for a big hit to your finances and reputation. The good news is that with a few simple steps, you can be HIPAA-compliant and create vibrant social media marketing that grows your business:

  • 1. Don’t cross the streams. Before you do anything else, separate your personal social media profiles from your professional profiles. Adjust your personal privacy settings so that only friends can see your posts. Only friend your patients on your professional pages. Clear boundaries make for easier compliance.
  • 2. Don’t talk about patients. Of course, you shouldn’t post that “Steve Q. presented with a thyroid disorder.” But you also shouldn’t post “A 46-year-old man presented with a thyroid disorder,” or even “A patient presented with a thyroid disorder.” Talk about the disorder itself, in general terms: What is it, what causes it, and how do you treat it?
  • 3. The waiting-room rule. If you wouldn’t say it out loud in your waiting room, don’t post it on social media. Our brains didn’t evolve with the Internet in mind, so we sometimes write things online that we’d never say in real life.
  • 4. Train, train again. Make sure that you communicate clear social media standards to every last employee – exactly what they can and cannot post on their personal and professional social media pages. This goes double for the people who administer your social media accounts; they should have both good social media marketing practices and HIPAA issues down cold.
  • 5. Social media is social. Remember that it’s called social media because other people are involved. That means you may have to watch out for your patients posting words or pictures on your pages that inadvertently identify other patients. If you find such a post, immediately contact the poster and gently explain the legal issues involved.

With these simple strategies, you can reap the huge benefits of social media marketing while remaining in compliance with HIPAA. You, your business and your patients will all be better-served! For more information on social media marketing for doctors please contact Practice Builders (800)679-1200.

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Health Tips For Women
Top 5 Health Tips For Women Over 45
Women Health
July 7, 2025
car accident lawsuit
Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
Policy & Law
July 6, 2025
women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025

You Might also Like

Medicaid Financial Strain
BusinessFinanceHealth ReformHospital AdministrationPolicy & LawPublic Health

Medicaid for All?

November 19, 2014
NewsPolicy & LawWellness

The Status Of Child Health And Wellness In America Today

April 25, 2019
taxes and healthcare
BusinessHealth ReformPolicy & LawPublic Health

Taxing Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance?

April 3, 2015
Image
Social Media

Expanding Your Social Media Networks

May 1, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?